Green Technology Education Centre - Climate Distress Services

Welcome to GTEC

EDUCATION   SUSTAINABILITY   COMMUNITY

Current Programs

  • Repairing the Social Contract

    Worldwide young people are increasingly distressed about climate change and the uncertain future they face. In a partnership with the Mental Health Climate Change Alliance, GTEC explored the emotional and psychological reactions of a diverse group of young people’s (16 to 24 years) to climate change along with their ideas about programs and services they would find helpful.

    This study was supported by Michael Smith Health Research BC.
    Download a copy of the report on the study here: MHCCA Repairing the Social Contract.pdf

  • Climate Response Centre

    Canada’s first Climate Response Centre is projected to be located on Vancouver’s Granville Island because of its iconic nature, the Island’s significance to Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and its high level of public access. The Response Centre will be a source of relevant and accessible educational and community development programming, a template for communities throughout BC and a centre of evolving community-based expertise about responding to climate change. This initial centre is designed to serve as the hub of the GTEC Community-based, Collaborative Model mentioned below.

  • Building Climate Change Resilience in the Community Social Services Sector

    This program entails building climate change resilience in the existing infrastructure of community-based organizations province-wide and, through these organizations, communities. This approach avoids parachuting programs into communities by leveraging the well established relationships these organizations already have with communities. To some extent, the delivery system for climate education and action is in place.

    Based on a survey of their leadership, the Federation of Community Social Services of BC recognized that the impacts of climate change are a threat to their member organizations.
    See their Findings and Recommendations.

  • GTEC Community-based, Collaborative Model

    Many of the technologies necessary to achieve a net-zero society are available today and many others are under development. But large-scale systemic change only comes about when enough hearts and minds have changed. Climate change is not only an individual, technical, or environmental problem. It is a systemic challenge that requires educational solutions at the community, organizational, social, and cultural levels.

    The GTEC Community-based, Collaborative Model envisions educating, activating and supporting communities in two interconnected ways based on a hub and spoke model:

    1. Canada’s first Climate Response Centre (described above)
    2. The spokes entail building climate change resilience in the existing infrastructure of community-based organizations province-wide and, through these organizations, communities (described above)

    See the Community Based Collaborative model for more information.


What Legacy are we leaving our youth

The Reader is GTEC’s online, free access arts and culture publication focused on the climate crisis, adaptation to it and its mitigation. Now in its 5th year the Reader is attracting an increasing readership as one of BC’s premier publications about climate change.

The GTEC Reader is published on a quarterly basis. Subscribers receive each issue in their email inbox.
> See the current GTEC Reader – Volume 5, Issue 1

Articles in the current issue:

  1. Youth, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Future
  2. SOLASTALGIA – The Rise of Climate Anxiety in Young People
  3. Shaking Up The Establishment
  4. Pathways: To Have Children (Or Not) in the Climate Crisis
  5. Repairing the Social Contract
  6. Two Business Ethics Students Use Video to Reflect on Ethics and the Climate Crisis
  7. Recent Climate Fiction – Four Brief Book Reviews
  8. Our Contributors

Subscribe to the GTEC Reader here >


GTEC is…

A Model for Regenerative Urban Living and Healthy Community
in the Rapidly Changing World of the 21st Century

VISION: The Green Technology Education Centre is at the forefront of solutions to the social and environmental challenges of our time.

MISSION: GTEC informs, supports and activates communities in responding to the climate crisis.

Latest Greatest GTEC Blogs

Thriving People & Flourishing Planet

Thriving People & Flourishing Planet

Thriving People & Flourishing Planet: Leadership in Action! CCPL Pre-conference Course 2024 May 23, 2024 8:30-4:30 Facilitators: Meschino D, Henley A, Green S Planning Team: Meschino D, Henley A, Green S, Sergeant M, Chan MK, LeBlanc C Abstract: Responding to the...

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Eco-Anxiety

Eco-Anxiety

REPORTING ON CLIMATE ANXIETY Prepared by Ross Thrasher A recent issue of the e-newsletter Bloomberg Greener Living looks at how climate change is impacting mental health, and how to cope with eco-anxiety. Reporters Olivia Rudgard and Jack Wittels heard from hundreds...

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DIY Air Cleaner

DIY Air Cleaner

We now live in a time where wildfires are a normal and lasting occurrence. In some areas in BC, there are days, weeks, and months in which we do not see blue skies. Additionally, climate change is linked to the increase in pathogen reproduction and transmission of...

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Climate Change Scenarios

Climate Change Scenarios

Prepared by Ross Thrasher In Our Shared Storm: A Novel of Five Climate Futures (Fordham University Press, 2022) Andrew Dana Hudson has written an intriguing quintet of stories based on the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report of 2021. Using a futurist technique called...

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Community Climate Response Dialogue

Community Climate Response Dialogue

With GTEC Executive Director Arden Henley March 12, 12 – 2:30 pm Appreciation The Green Technology Education Centre (GTEC) would like to extend its appreciation for the work that the VanCity Community Foundation and the organizations that are connected to it do every...

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Solastalgia Story Circle

Solastalgia Story Circle

Art in Climate Stories Solastalgia recently hosted a successful poetry-writing event in January to explore feelings and experiences with the climate crisis. Their next series of events is Solastalgia Story Circle: Art in Climate Stories, starting Sunday February 4 at...

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Solastalgia Poetry Workshop

Solastalgia Poetry Workshop

Moving Beyond Despair about the Climate Crisis: Engaging Emotions Through Poetry Solastalgia is a Vancouver youth-led community initiative that focuses on eco-anxiety and climate justice through arts-based events. Their next event, Moving Beyond Despair about the...

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The GTEC Board of Directors

Arden Henley

Executive Director

Arden HenleyArden Henley is the former Vice President of CityU Canada and a founder of the CityU counselling programs. Previously he was the Director of White Rock Family Therapy Institute, the Director of Clinical Services at Peace Arch Community Services, and the Executive Director of the South Okanagan Children’s Services Society. He is a former Advisor to the Provincial Counsellor Education Task Force and the former Chair of the Board of the BC College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioners. Dr. Henley has a B.A. from McMaster University, an M.A. from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, U.S.A and a Doctorate in Education from Simon Fraser University.

Terry Stone

DIRECTOR

Terry StoneAn enthusiastic professional with more than 20 years experience in Business ownership, Management and Marketing, Terry is passionate about respecting our planet and people. An avid wilderness junkie, he loves the saying “leave only footprints and take only pictures”. He has enjoyed working in fitness & rehabilitation, life safety, green-building, alternative energy, and sustainability. Still searching for the way he can make a large impact, he offers GTEC — critical thinking, problem-solving and strategic planning.

Norman Sam

CHAIR

Norman SamFormally educated at BCIT and UBC in Management and Finance, Norman’s careers and businesses continue to span the spectrum from corporate wellness to real estate development and technology start-up in the climate tech sector. Complementing these activities, Norman has also volunteered extensively with various non-profit and community service organizations. The common narrative among this diverse range of activities is a passion and desire to make his community and the world a better place.

Todd McGowan

SECRETARY

Todd McGowanTodd McGowan is an education leader, outdoor adventurer and sustainability specialist. He lived and worked in Ethiopia helping design and implement English language teacher trainings in the Southern Region of the country. He was the Education Director and part of the design team for a 430-acre sustainable community development in Sechelt, BC that combined lifelong learning (including an international high school), senior living, agriculture, affordable housing, an eco-adventure park, an artisan community and a waterfront village along with vast greenspace and trail networks. The development aspired to be the most sustainable community in North America and support the 7 dimensions of wellness: Social, Emotional, Environmental, Spiritual, Physical, Occupational and Intellectual.

Neal Mutadi

DIRECTOR (ON LEAVE)

Neal MutadiDr. Neal Mutadi is the president of NCEA, an organization dedicated to quality education. He has worked in national & international assignments. He was an instructor at UBC & director of San Diego State & City University leadership programs in Canada. He also served as principal, director of education & deputy superintendent of schools in British Columbia. Neal has a doctorate from Brigham Young University & has published articles in leading American & Canadian educational magazines. He has been actively involved in community groups, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International & the Heart & Stroke Foundation. He has enjoyed the beauty of our planet through world travel. He is committed to collaborating with individuals & groups who are passionate about protecting our planet.

Mary Charleson

DIRECTOR

Mary CharlesonMary Charleson is a Marketing Speaker, Educator, and Strategist. She is the author of fiveminutemarketing.com Blog and weekly newsletter, featuring marketing tips for the time starved entrepreneur. Mary has two books: “Word of Mouth Mouse & Mobile” (2013) and “Five-Minute Marketing” (2010). She is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the Global Speakers Federation. Mary delivers keynotes and presentations for private companies, associations, and conferences.

Gerry Zipursky

DIRECTOR

Gerry ZipurskyGerry’s extensive career in Community Development and Community Leadership includes many years in the Neighborhood House movement in Vancouver working at Gordon Neighborhood House, Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House, as well as being the founding Executive Director of South Vancouver Neighborhood House. He was the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver for 22 years. Gerry has also been a consultant to a wide range of community organizations and Boards.

Mary Kean

DIRECTOR

Mary KeanMary Kean, M.A., is a couple and family therapist (ret.), published poet and writer, and editor of The GTEC Reader. She has served the community on the Boards of Peak House (Problematic Substance Use Program) and AMSSA (Assoc.Multicultural Serving Societies) and was Vice President of VEVA (Vancouver Electrical Vehicle Assoc.) She co-founded White Rock Family Therapy Institute and published the Journal of Collaborative Therapies there for which she received the BC Clinical Counselors’ Association Communications Award. She also co-founded the Masters in Counselling program at City University Canada. Mary has been on the Board of GTEC since its inception and is totally dedicated to mitigation of and adaptation to the climate crisis on behalf of future generations that include her grandchildren.

Alisa Kaletsky

DIRECTOR

Alisa KaletskyAlisa is a lawyer. Prior to practicing law she worked in research and spent time working and studying in Israel. She is passionate about animal rights and welfare and shifting our consumption away from animals to reduce the significant impact of animal agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions.

Linda Thyer

VICE-CHAIR

Linda ThyerLinda practises family and sport medicine on traditional Coast Salish territories with a focus on youth over the past 20 years. She is a founding member of Doctors for Planetary Health – West Coast and is an active member of various medical, environmental and community organizations. She is grateful for the many nourishing and healing gifts of Mother Earth and works toward restoring health and peace for all.

Kim McLeod

TREASURER

Kim McLeodKim McLeod graduated from UBC with a degree in Physical Education. She worked in corporate health and wellness and then transitioned into high tech as a project manager/producer to develop a virtual personal trainer application. Passionate about all areas of healthy living she turned her focus to the built environment and completed a two-year program from Rosenheim Germany in building biology learning about sustainable healthy building design. With her expertise in research, sourcing, planning, and driving project execution, she applies building biology principles to both residential and commercial projects. A strong appreciation for nature, she thrives on trail runs, hikes, and skate skiing with family and friends.

Steve Conway

DIRECTOR

Steve Conway - DirectorDr. Steve Conway is the Mental Health and Wellness Director with the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC and is the former Vice President of City University in Canada. Steve has over 30 years experience providing mental health services and leadership in a wide range of settings with diverse populations and clinical issues. Steve holds a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and an MBA with a focus on leadership and teams. Steve is a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor and has coach training in an ICF accredited program. For the previous 12 years, in addition to being a senior level leader, Steve has been a counselling therapist, leadership coach and consultant, workshop facilitator focusing on workplace mental health and leadership issues and a leadership fit to position assessment specialist.

Sapna Dayal

DIRECTOR

Sapna Dayal - GTEC Board of DirectorsSapna is a CPA, CA with over 25 years experience. A builder at heart, she’s currently part of the founding group at Brass Token, an independent video game development studio. From 2007 – 2015, she served as Executive Director of imagine1day, a non-profit which provides access to quality education for children throughout Ethiopia. Sapna also dedicated 15 years to a career in public accounting with KPMG LLP, and more recently with Smythe CPA, working across practice areas including assurance, corporate finance and international taxation, in Canada and Brazil. Sapna is overjoyed to add “mama” to her bio, having been blessed with the birth of her daughter in 2020.

Ranbir K. Banwait

DIRECTOR

Ranbir K Banwai - GTEC Board of DirectorsRanbir has a PhD in Asian Diaspora studies from Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on the physical, ethical and social implications of embodiment. Currently, she is exploring the relationship of food to identity: the ways in which we grow it, eat it, and share it with others, shapes & reveals who we are. Ranbir believes in the transformative power of dialogue in education, as we collectively imagine a better future together.

Raphael Gasc

DIRECTOR

Raphael Gasc, Board Member of the GTEC Green Technology Education CentreRaphael is a community-minded undergraduate student and outdoor industry professional with a fascination for wildlife and the natural spaces they inhabit. After nearly a decade of competition in the discipline of biathlon, he began his post-secondary studies in Kinesiology at Capilano University, where he also serves on the Senate and Student Union Board of Directors. He chose this major since it suited his devotion to transcending physical limits and promoting longevity. More recently, Raphael reoriented his concentration in Environmental Science, to follow his passion for Ecology. As an aspiring expert in this field, he hopes to assist the GTEC board in realizing its objectives by representing youth voices and keeping wildlife’s best interests in mind.

Green Technology Education Centre
c/o Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
2305 West 7th Ave
Vancouver, BC V6K 1Y4
Canada
604-317-4128
info@gteccanada.ca